Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all [Rom 12:17-18 ESV]
This week we have looked at the fact that we are aliens and strangers in this world. Knowing this, Christ prayed for our safety, our purification, and our dispersion. Since we are dispersed aliens, today we will look at how we are to live as believers, as salt, in a world that hates us.
Paul writes in Romans that we are never to repay evil for evil, but to give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. Honorable—deserving of respect or high regard. We are to deal with issues in our nation, our jobs, or our families with one deserving of respect in the sight of all; not just those who agree with us, but all. Not only are we to deal with them in this way, but first we are to give thought to do it in this way. It is so easy to just act, vent, or sometimes spew when we are frustrated, angry, and wronged. It is hard to be slow to anger—to stop and think before we act—but look at these great Proverbs:
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. [Pro 15:18 ESV]
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. [Pro 19:11 ESV]
Are we to stir up strife or quiet contentions? Paul writes that if it is possible on your own part, live peaceably with all. All—not just believers, not just those in your Facebook friend group, and not just those with the same political views as you, but all.
When I think of someone truly wise, and one whose opinion I desire to hear, it’s usually one who speaks little but contemplates a lot. One who exemplifies James 1:19. “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” It’s kind of the opposite of that famous quote, “it is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” I have thought for a long time that the freedom of speech given to us in this nation has been a blessing and a detriment to believers. Just because we can say something in our nation, it doesn’t mean God has called me to say something in our nation. I must give thought as to what is honorable in the sight of all.
In a world consumed by evil, we are to live honorable, peaceful, quiet lives and to overcome evil with good. We are to honor those in authority, pray for them, and we are to pay our taxes. Remember, we live in our exile nation and pray for its welfare.
For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. [Rom 13:6-7 ESV]
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. [1Ti 2:1-2 ESV]
Reflection Questions:
- When asked your opinion, do you take time to think what is honorable in the sight of all and season your words with salt?
- Are you quick to hear, but slow to speak, and slow to anger? If not, what are things you can practically do to help you learn to do this?
Are you one who stirs up strife or quiet contentions?
Reflection Song:
